Press Office

Press Releases

March 29, 2012 - 12:32 PM

Burr Introduces “Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day” Legislation

Legislation to honor service members who fought in Vietnam

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Richard Burr (R-NC), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, introduced a bill encouraging the President to designate March 29 as “Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day” honoring the return home of our armed service members after serving in Vietnam. Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) is a lead co-sponsor of the legislation.

“American troops served bravely and faithfully during the Vietnam War, and these veterans deserve our recognition and gratitude they earned,” Senator Burr said. “Unfortunately, when these service members returned home, they were caught in the crossfire of public debate about our nation’s involvement in the Vietnam War, and many never received the reception and recognition they deserved.”

“Each and every American service member who sacrifices for our country deserves to be welcomed home by a grateful nation,” Senator Boxer said. “Establishing a national day of recognition for veterans of the Vietnam War will honor their service and show the deep gratitude our nation feels for these brave men and women.”

The United States’ involvement in Vietnam stemmed from concerns that if South Vietnam fell to a communist government, communism would spread throughout the rest of Southeast Asia. American forces began serving in an advisory role to the South Vietnamese in 1961, and in 1965, ground combat troops were sent into Vietnam. After many years of combat, all US troops were withdrawn from Vietnam on March 29, 1973, under the terms of the Treaty of Paris.

More than 58,000 members of the United States Armed Forces lost their lives and more than 300,000 were wounded in Vietnam. The establishment of a “Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day” would serve as a small way to honor these men and women who served our country in Vietnam throughout the war.

Filter by:

March 2012 Press Releases

03/01/12 Burr Announces Military Academy Nominations
03/01/12 Senators Introduce Legislation to Strengthen Cybersecurity
03/02/12 Burr Announces Event for March 4, 2012
03/08/12 Senator Burr Applauds Senate Passage of His Bill to Better Prepare Nation for the Threat of Pandemics or Bioterror Attacks

03/08/12

Senator Richard Burr’s Statement on ATSDR’s decision to redact public information from Camp Lejeune water contamination reports

03/12/12 Senator Burr Announces Travelling Photography Exhibit in Conjunction with Vietnam Veterans Homecoming Celebration
03/15/12 Burr Announces Events for March 17-19, 2012
03/20/12 Senator Burr Introduces Bill to Protect Educational and Economic Impact of Historic Estates
03/23/12 Senator Burr Announces Event for March 24, 2012
03/26/12 Bennet, Hatch and Burr Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Bring Breakthrough Treatments to Patients More Quickly
03/29/12 Burr Resolution Introduces Children to Employment Opportunities
03/29/12 Senators Burr and Coburn Issue Joint Statement on GAO Oversight Report
03/29/12 Burr Introduces “Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day” Legislation